Total pages in book: 139
Estimated words: 134133 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 671(@200wpm)___ 537(@250wpm)___ 447(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 134133 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 671(@200wpm)___ 537(@250wpm)___ 447(@300wpm)
I guess they don’t have a reason to.
I agreed to “play ball,” whatever that means.
When I’m satisfied that no scary goons are coming to kidnap me, I finally leave the entryway. The house is dark, so Mom must be out.
I’m relieved.
I go to my bedroom and drop my bags, then I strip off my nice clothes and the new bra Silvan bought me and pull on a comfy sleep shirt.
Despite the overall numbness, I do feel a little lonely when I slip between my cool sheets and settle my blankets around me and I don’t feel Silvan’s lush fur beneath my fingers or his strong arms wrapped around my waist.
I miss his heat.
Maybe I just miss him.
Clearly, my brain is too broken for proper thinking tonight, so I close my eyes, forcing all the unpleasant thoughts away and tell myself to just go to sleep.
Tomorrow is a new day. A calmer day.
Tomorrow, I get to go back to some semblance of my real life.
Chapter thirty-four
Sophie
I sleep in a little since I know Silvan is sending a car to pick me up.
My whole vibe this morning is very low-effort. I shower and blow out my hair, but only because it’s cold outside. I tie my hair in lazy low pigtail buns and brush on a little lip gloss and mascara. I wear comfy jeans and a shirt baggy enough that I can get away with not wearing a bra, then I grab my bag and head out to the limo.
Breakfast waits for me on a tray in the car. I sigh happily as I grab the cold bottle of water and stuff it in my bag, then have a sweet sip of my spiced latte.
Heaven.
And it only comes with every string imaginable.
What a bargain.
I smile faintly, grabbing my warm breakfast sandwich and devouring it. Silvan must know I’ve been picked up because he shoots off a text that reads, “How is my pretty girl this morning?”
“Not so pretty,” I shoot back. “I’m being lazy this morning.”
“Lies. You’re always beautiful.”
“Thank you for sending the car. I did not have the zeal to make myself food this morning.”
“Are you feeling all right?”
“Yeah. Just a little tired.”
That reminds me, I need to call my doctor. I swipe away from his texts and search up the number for my OB-GYN’s office. Unfortunately, she’s booked solid and can’t get me in for a couple of weeks.
That won’t do at all.
Plan B. I look up student health services and give them a call to see if they can get me in today.
Once I have all that handled, I do a little studying before I get to campus. I gave myself a little extra time since I have to hustle to get a new class schedule so I know where my new class is, but when Hugh opens the door and lets me out, he holds out a crisp white sheet of paper.
“Your schedule.”
I blink, then take it. “Oh. Thank you.”
“Master Silvan printed one off for you this morning. He wasn’t sure you’d have time before class.”
I crack a smile. “Is that his way of saying I’m always on the verge of being late?”
“I believe in Master Silvan’s opinion, anytime you appear to be late, it’s the other party’s fault for not waiting for you.”
I thank him again, hoist my bag on my shoulder, and make my way toward my first class of the day.
___
I’m on my way out of the student health center when I see Silvan standing at the information desk, talking to the nurse.
My heart skips a beat and my steps slow. "Silvan?"
He turns toward me, an easy smile on his handsome face. “Hey.”
My gaze drifts to the nurse behind the desk. She avoids my gaze and looks a little flustered, shuffling papers around the desk to look busy.
My eyes narrow with suspicion but before I can watch to see what she does next, Silvan is in front of me, grabbing my wrist with one hand, my chin with the other. His touch is gentle enough, but he forces me to meet his gaze.
“What are you doing here?” I ask.
“Thought I’d see if you wanted to grab a bite to eat now that you’re done.”
“I didn’t tell you I was coming here today. How did you know I’d be—?” I stop myself with a sigh. “Goddammit, Hugh. There’s no privacy with that man around.”
Silvan smirks, leaning in to kiss me. “There’s no privacy anywhere.” Taking my hand, he hauls me toward the door. “Come on.”
I sigh heavily. “I’m not hungry. And I need to go to a pharmacy so I can fill this prescription."
"I'll take care of it for you. We’ve got an appointment in a few minutes, that’ll eat up some time. We’ll grab some dinner after. Maybe you’ll be hungry by then.”
I frown, following him out the door. “What kind of appointment?”